Police Say December Shooting Victim Was Killed By His Brother

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids police say after nearly six months of investigating they are ready to charge 18-year-old Royale Runyon with the shooting death of his brother, Madhi Hayes.

The 20-year-old member of the Army was found was shot to death in an alley south of Worden St and east of Henry Ave. at 3:00am on December 20th, 2012.

The day after Hayes’ death, Runyon was arrested on an unrelated robbery charge.

Police say it took awhile to connect him to the crime even though he was considered a suspect from the beginning.

“These investigative subpoenas, although effective are very time consuming,” said Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk.

Subpoenas, according to the chief, can get people to cooperate or face criminal charges.

“It gives us the ability to bring people in under oath and do compelled testimony, the ability to testify truthfully,” said Chief Belk. “That’s why we end up with perjury charges and it gives us additional leverage.”

Hayes was killed during a particularly violent month in the city of Grand Rapids.

“Six of the nine (homicides) have been solved,” Belk said. “We still have good solid leads on the open investigation and I can tell you that Royale Runyon is a strong suspect in the death of Eve’Vana Galloway who was killed on Dorchester in December as well.”

Galloway was found dead in her Grand Rapids home on December 15th.

According to Chief Belk, she was once in a relationship with Hayes. Police say they also have leads on who killed Gregory Woods on January 8th, 2013 and continue to investigate to determine who shot and killed Roybin Griggs-Johnson on Prince Street on December 18th, 2012.